Sunday, July 21
After a pleasant chat with the camp host lady, the crew and I leave Beaverhead Campground and the blue water of Clark Canyon Reservoir. We motor up Interstate 15 to Dillon, stop for groceries at the Safeway, and continue northeastward on Route 41.
We’re on the western side of the Ruby Mountains.
We cross the Beaverhead River on our way to the town of Twin Bridges.
At Twin Bridges we turn onto Route 287 and go southeastward along the Ruby River. Now we’re on the eastern side of the Ruby Mountains. If I were in a sightseeing mood, I would stop at the historic mining towns along the way . . . Sheridan, Alder, and Nevada City. Whenever I want to take a photo either a truck or a motorhome is bearing down on the BLT’s bumper, probably because I’m driving the speed limit. I’m not in a sightseeing mood anyway. Next is Virginia City.
It’s Disneyland West.
People in shorts and bright shirts spill out of cars and RVs, milling about, stepping into the street like zombies, squinting up at sun-drenched signs, drifting into historic-looking buildings, licking ice cream cones. Ugh. Get me out of here. To stop would surely spoil my mental picture of Virginia City, probably a truer picture than this, in spite of it coming from movies, television, and books.
After Virginia City we climb a long grade.
By this time Bridget and Spike need to get out and walk around. On the downhill side, I pull over at a viewpoint. This is my first look at the Madison River valley since last summer. The Madison Range serves as backdrop.
I think that odd-looking mountain in the photo below is The Helmet (9,467 ft.), according to my Montana atlas.
We pass Ennis Lake as we head north to Norris.
Route 84 goes east and joins up with the wide and wonderful Madison River. A grand flotilla of colorful rafts bear happy floaters downstream.
We cross the bridge and turn into Red Mountain Campground.
I pull the BLT into the same campsite we had last year.
“C’mon, Spike! You, too, Bridget. Let’s go for a swim!”
rvsue
You can still join the house-warming!
Click to learn how you can send your gift: HOUSE-WARMING FOR RUSTY AND TIMBER
Click to watch the video of the reunion: CHANNEL 12 NEWS – RUSTY BRINGS TIMBER HOME
NOTE: Internet signal is weak or non-existent in the area in and around the campground. I cannot respond to comments and house-warming gifts as I’d like. I also will be slow answering emails.
Please know your gifts and purchases through my Amazon links are greatly appreciated.
Full moon seen from our campground
